National and IC Strategy Development
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) is responsible for developing and overseeing National CI and Security Policy. The National Counterintelligence Policy Board, established under the Counterintelligence and Security Enhancements Act of 1994, serves as the principal mechanism for creating national policies and procedures that guide the conduct of counterintelligence activities across the U.S. Government.
Additionally, the NCSC ensures alignment of policies related to personnel security, suitability, access to sensitive positions, and access to classified information. These policies aim for reciprocal recognition and protection of national security information.
One specific strategy is the National Counterintelligence Strategy. This strategy plays a crucial role in safeguarding the United States against foreign intelligence threats by outlining how the U.S. Government will address foreign intelligence threats. It focuses on a few key strategic objectives:
- Protecting the American People and Homeland: By countering espionage and other harmful intelligence activities conducted by foreign adversaries.
- Promoting American Prosperity: By safeguarding the economy from theft of technology and intellectual property by foreign adversaries.
- Preserving Peace and Security: By actively countering aggressive foreign intelligence services that work against democracy, U.S. allies, and national security priorities.
The United States faces an array of threats from foreign intelligence services. These adversaries employ sophisticated methods to harm U.S. interests, interfere with elections, and erode economic and military superiority. The strategy emphasizes collaboration between the U.S. Government, private industry, and the public to strengthen counterintelligence capabilities and secure the nation.
NCSC leads the development, implementation, and assessment of the Unifying Intelligence Strategy for Counterintelligence (Intelligence Community) . It aims to unify counterintelligence efforts across the Intelligence Community (IC) by identifying gaps, making recommendations, and shaping resource decisions, the strategy enhances the IC’s ability to anticipate and deter foreign intelligence threats.
In summary, the National Counterintelligence Strategy serves as a vital blueprint for protecting national security, economic interests, and democratic values against foreign adversaries. Collaboration and vigilance remain essential in this ongoing effort.
Physical Security
NCSC works with the Department of State to protect classified national security information and to perform other security-related functions affecting U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities abroad.
Technical and cyber threat assessments bring an understanding of foreign scientific and technical developments and capabilities that might pose potential threats, targets, or opportunities for the U.S. Government and its partners.
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) represent the convergence of counterintelligence and security. Countermeasures are designed to detect and nullify a wide variety of technologies used to gain unauthorized access to classified national security information, restricted data or otherwise sensitive information.
Relevant Reports, Briefings, & Reading Material
i. Protecting U.S. Embassies and Consulates
NCSC, in consultation with the IC, works with Department of State (DoS) to protect classified national security information and to perform other security-related functions affecting U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities abroad. NCSC provides IC input to the DoS biannual Security Environment Threat List for the Human Intelligence and Technical Threat categories and conducts risk assessments for U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad in response to specific requests from DoS that involve analyses of asset value, threats, and vulnerabilities as well as recommendations for risk mitigation.
NCSC has responsibility for overseas security which requires: maintaining databases on foreign intelligence threats to and the vulnerabilities of U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad; collaborating with the IC and DoS to enhance information assurance standards and policies for the protection of classified national security information held in U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, and partnering with DoS, industry and the IC elements to assess technical security shortfalls, identify solutions and manage the integration of emerging technologies to improve security countermeasures.
ii. Protecting IC Facilities Domestically and Abroad
NCSC oversees the management of U.S. Government facilities containing Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and a framework for common security standards for IC domestic facilities enabling savings through shared, multi-use spaces. NCSC provides a single automated source for secure facility information worldwide. SCIF locations can be an invaluable tool to identify sites in jeopardy due to national disasters, heightened security alerts, as well as domestic and international hostilities.
iii. Technical Threat Assessment and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures
The protection of national intelligence and intelligence sources and methods, and the neutralization of foreign intelligence threats, are fundamental to the success of the CI and security mission. Technical and cyber threat assessments bring an understanding of foreign scientific and technical developments and capabilities that might pose potential threats, targets, or opportunities for the U.S. Government and its partners.
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) represent the convergence of counterintelligence and security. Countermeasures are designed to detect and nullify a wide variety of technologies used to gain unauthorized access to classified national security information, restricted data or otherwise sensitive information.
Information on foreign technical penetrations, technical surveillance, or technical collection efforts against the U.S. is centralized and managed, including information and techniques obtained through U.S. TSCM activities and subsequent CI investigations.
Damage Assessments
Damage assessments are conducted by NCSC to evaluate actual or potential damage to national security from the unauthorized disclosure or compromise of classified information. NCSC coordinates equity reviews and damage assessments across the IC, as directed by the DNI. Lessons learned from these assessments are shared with our mission partners.
Information Sharing and Audit Data
IC elements treat information collected and analysis produced as national assets. They are stewards of information who have a "responsibility to provide." Authorized IC personnel have a "responsibility to discover" information believed to have the potential to contribute to their assigned mission need and a corresponding "responsibility to request" relevant information they have discovered.
Threat Assessments
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) plays a critical role in understanding Foreign Intelligence Entities (FIE). The foundation of all counterintelligence (CI) work lies in comprehending foreign intelligence entities (FIE). This involves studying their behavior, understanding how they define their missions, and analyzing their operational patterns. By gaining insights into FIE activities, CI professionals can effectively counter their efforts and protect national security.
The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community focuses on the most direct, serious threats to the United States primarily during the next year.
The NCSC produces the National Threat Identification and Prioritization Assessment (NTIPA). The NTIPA is a crucial assessment that informs policymakers and senior officials with CI responsibilities. The NTIPA identifies and prioritizes current and emerging foreign intelligence threats that could significantly harm U.S. national security. By staying informed about these threats, decision-makers can allocate resources effectively and take proactive measures to mitigate risks.
The NCSC works within the National Intelligence Priority Framework (NIPF). The NIPF reflects the priorities set by customers for national intelligence support. It ensures that both enduring and emerging intelligence issues receive attention and appropriate resources. By aligning intelligence efforts with customer priorities, the NIPF enhances the overall effectiveness of U.S. intelligence operations.
In summary, the NCSC’s multifaceted approach involves understanding FIE behavior, assessing threats, and prioritizing intelligence efforts. Collaboration, timely assessments, and strategic alignment are essential in safeguarding U.S. interests and countering foreign intelligence threats.
